Internet & Wifi Help

General Internet & WiFi

Internet Support

ValuNet FIBER works hard to ensure that we provide the highest quality and most reliable service to our customers.

ValuNet FIBER provides service to you through a fiber connection to your home and connects or interfaces to your router through our ONT device. If you own your router, ValuNet FIBER can test the network and connection to the router but cannot actually test or trouble shoot the router itself or any device (wired or wireless) that might be connected to it. In-person support is available from 8am to 5pm Monday thru Friday (except holidays) .

This support can include dispatching of technicians as needed (charges may apply). After-hours support is available by phone 24/7. In the event that a technician is required, a technician will be dispatched the next business day. Technicians are not normally dispatched after-hours.

ValuNet FIBER will test to assure that service is operating to and from your home.

ValuNet FIBER will assist customers with general routing questions

ValuNet FIBER will confirm that the customer’s router is passing traffic to and from our network.

ValuNet FIBER will dispatch a technician at the customer’s request and after attempts have been made to assist the customer remotely (phone support). The technician will perform an on-site trouble identification procedure to determine where the problem may actually be occurring. If the problem is identified as being on the “customer side” of the network, a charge for this service may be assessed.

At your request, ValuNet FIBER will lease a router (with both wired and wireless connections)to you. Included with the router lease are the following services:

Set up and ongoing support of the router at no additional charge.

Unlimited phone support

Free trouble isolation including on site isolation as needed.

For support, please call us at 620-208-5000.

Router Selection

Selecting and purchasing a router for use on ValuNet FIBER’s Internet service is not complicated; however, there are few things to think about. While price is always a part of the equation, there are a number of other factors to consider.

How many devices are going to be operating on the router at the same time and how many are to be connected wirelessly?

This seems like a simple answer, but often gets over looked when purchasing a router. Devices that could be connected to the router include: laptops, smart phones, tablets, game systems, smart TVs, DVD players, heating/AC units, security system, SIP/VOIP phones, other streaming devices (Roku, Apple TV, and Google TV) and even refrigerators are included in this list. That $29.00 router has an appealing price but may not meet your need and requirements. On the box of the router it should say up to how many wireless connections it will handle. Some of the lower end routers will only handle 5 wireless connections which is not adequate for most homes. Ask yourself how many wireless devices might be connected to your wireless router at the same time.

How big is the home, single level, multiple level, apartment, etc.?

Is your home an apartment? A small single story ranch or a rambling older 3 story affair? The wireless signal strength of routers varies as does the ability of the router to operate on multiple frequencies simultaneously.

Do you have gamers (WOW, Xbox, PS3, etc.) and high streamer users (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, etc.)?

If the answer is yes to these, a higher end router will be needed. The higher end router has a higher processor which will allow for quick processing and proper operation of the game and the streaming of movies/TV shows without buffering or pausing. A router with a lower processor will have buffering, and lag on games and streaming.

A word about used or older routers

If the router is 2 years or older it may not give you the all the benefit of the fiber connection. Up until the last few years, most routers were made for DSL connection or a cable connection which could only handle up to 12 MB download and sometimes as little as 768K upload ( for a cable connection up to 50MB download and 2Mb up load). ValuNet service is fiber service and is a synchronous connection requiring routers with higher bandwidth capability and higher processing speeds to be able to use all the bandwidth provided by ValuNet. A router with minimum ability to provide 50 Mbps in each direction will better suit the speeds of the fiber network.

Reading the router specifications

Take a minute to read the specs of the router you are considering. The wireless signal strength will be indicated on the box with a wireless signal image. The more wireless bars that are shaded, the stronger and broader the wireless signal will be. This is important for multiple level or larger homes. If you want your wireless to reach most areas of your home, a router with a broader wireless range will be required. You will notice that routers with broader wireless range will also accommodate more wireless users.

Look to see what the maximum download and upload speeds of the router are. Generally speaking, you will want a router that has speeds of at least twice the bandwidth of the Internet service you are using.

What frequencies does the router operate on? Routers that support wireless service will operate on at least one frequency group. Cheaper units may operate just on 2.4 GHz. If you are operating multiple devices and streaming video or gaming, you will want a router that operates on both 2.4 and 5 GHz. You may also want a router that operates in the “N” range. Some newer upper end routers also incorporate AC as well as N in their routing. These are all features that will enhance your capability.

Router Tips

When connecting your router make sure your network connection is plugged into the “WAN” port on your router

Keep your router up to date with the latest version of general release firmware. This can usually be found on the router manufacturer’s website.

If your router is more than two or three years old, it may be a good time to replace it. Routers that are two or more years old sometimes cannot connect reliably to newer devices.

It is recommended that you change your Password on a regular basis.

Still having trouble? Calls us at 208-5000 for phone support from our ValuNet in-house customer support representatives.

Wireless Troubleshooting

Make sure the device you are attempting to connect has wireless capability, that it is turned on and set to look for or “see” the wireless router.

If the devices are set up for wireless, but do not seem to want to connect, plug the remote device into one of the routers physical ports using an Ethernet patch cable.

If the device works when connected through the cable, the problem is not with the device itself, but still may be with the wireless operation of that particular device.

Identify any other wireless devices at the location and unplug or disable (if possible) to see if they may be causing interference.

If your device has connected but has low, weak or intermittent signal, try moving the router or the device to a different location (possibly closer to the router) to see if the signal strength improves.

WiFiber Tutorials

How to set up WiFiber

Using the WiFi settings on your mobile or wireless capable device, connect to the WiFi name WiFiber.

Follow the popup prompt that will guide you through the login process.

When you click on Register select the rate plan you wish to purchase and enter your personal information. Once you are done, simply check the box stating you agree to our Terms of Service.

Click Purchase and you’re online!

Automatically add a device to your WiFiber Network

You can have multiple devices on your WiFiber account. This includes wireless printers, laptops, tablets, or any other device that has a WiFi connection.

To add a device, follow these simple steps:

Using the WiFi settings on your mobile or wireless capable device, connect to the WiFi name "WiFiber".

Log in to your WiFiber account using the on-screen prompts and your current login and password.

You’re Done!

Note: Some devices such as wireless printers cannot be added automatically. In this case, you must manually enter the MAC address of the device so that WiFiber can recognize it. See how to manually add a device.

Manually add a device to your WiFiber network

What's a MAC address and how do I find it on my device?

A MAC address is a series of numbers and letters specific to your device. It is in a format that looks like this: 00:00:00:00:00:00. Many wireless devices do not allow for you to log into a network using that device, such as wireless printers. In this case, you must manually enter the MAC address of the device so that WiFiber can recognize it. Find your device using the tabs below to learn how to find your MAC address, then follow these steps:

Using the WiFi settings on your phone or wireless device, connect to the WiFi name "WiFiber".

Click your device below for instructions on where to find the MAC address for that device:

Wireless Printers

Amazon Echo

Android Devices

Apple Devices

Apple TV

Chromecast

Mac OS 10 Devices

Nintendo

PlayStation

Roku

Smart TVs & BluRay Players

Windows Devices

XBox

Wireless Printers

Wireless Printers

Check your printer manual. This is the easiest and fastest way to find the printer's MAC address.

Print out a configuration page. Sometimes the test page and the configuration page are the same. Print them from the printer front panel or from the computer. The front panel of the printer will likely have a configuration or tool button. Press it and scroll using the arrow keys to "Print Test Page," then select "OK". To print from the computer, navigate to the printer and right-click. Select "Properties" and choose "Print Test Page."

Amazon Echo

Amazon Echo

Open the Alexa App

Tap the Menu button and select ‘Settings’

Select the first option. Yourname’s Echo Online

The MAC Address is at the bottom of the window

Android Devices

Android Devices

Go into your device’s Settings Menu

Select About Device

Look for the heading Hardware Info and select it

Your MAC address will either be displayed or you will need to go a step further and select Advanced

Apple Devices

Apple Devices

Select 'Settings'.

Go to 'General', then 'About'.

Your MAC address is labeled as 'WiFi Address'.

Apple TV

Apple TV

From the Apple TV home screen, navigate to ‘Settings’

In ‘Settings’, select ‘General’

Then select ‘Network’

The MAC Address is labeled as ‘Wi-Fi Address’

Chromecast

Chromecast

Open the Chromecast App on your computer

Click ‘Settings’

The MAC Address is displayed at the bottom of the window

Mac OS 10 Devices

Mac OS 10 Devices

Click on the Apple button and select System Preferences

Click on Network

Select WiFi

Click on the Hardware tab

Nintendo

Nintendo 3DS, 3DS XL, DS

Go into ‘System Settings’

Select ‘Internet Settings’

Select ‘Other Information’

Select ‘Confirm MAC Address’

Nintendo Switch

From the ‘HOME’ menu, select ‘System Settings’

Select ‘Internet Settings’

Select ‘Other Information’

Select ‘Confirm MAC Address’

Nintendo Wii

Select ‘Wii Settings’

Select ‘Wii System Settings’

Go to page 2

Select ‘Internet’

Select ‘Console Information’

Nintendo Wii U

Select ‘System Settings’

Select ‘Internet’

Select ‘View MAC Address’

PlayStation

PlayStation 3

Go to ‘Settings’

Scroll down to ‘System Settings’ and select it

Scroll down to ‘System Information’ and select it

MAC address will be shown

PlayStation 4

Go to ‘Settings’

Scroll down to ‘Network’ and select it

Scroll down to ‘View Connection Status’

MAC address will be marked as ‘MAC Address (Wi-Fi)'

Roku

Roku

On the back of the Roku device please find the label. The wireless MAC address is printed there.

OR, go to settings located on the Roku home screen. The MAC Address is displayed in ‘Player Info’

Smart TVs & BluRay Players

Smart TVs & BluRay Players

In general, Smart TVs and Smart BluRay players keep the MAC address is similar spots. Often, reading the product manual can tell you what the MAC is or at least where to find it. Most will display the MAC Address in the 'Settings' menu in the 'System Information' or 'About Device' submenus.

Windows Devices

Windows Devices

Click on Start

Search for Command Prompt or cmd

In the Command Prompt, type ‘ipconfig /all’

Look for the MAC under the label ‘Physical Address’

Close the Command Prompt

XBox

XBox One

Go to ‘My Games and Apps’

Select ‘Settings’

Select ‘Network’

Select ‘Advanced Settings’

’Wireless MAC’ will be displayed.

XBox 360

Go to ‘My Xbox’ on the Xbox Dashboard

Select ‘System Settings’

Select ‘Network Settings’

Select ‘Configure Network’

Check that ‘IP Settings’ are set to ‘Automatic’ in ‘Basic Settings’

Go to ‘Additional Settings’

Go to ‘Advanced Settings’

Wireless MAC should be displayed.

What is ValuNet FIBER?

ValuNet FIBER is an all-fiber telecommunications
network providing Internet, TV, and home phone service. We are locally owned and operated in
Emporia, Kansas.